New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-30
NEvINs ACCUSED BY POPE.
LIGHT ON THE BROOKLYN FRANCHISE.
AN UNWILLING WITNESS BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY
Y -o....rr.rrx-rur cuIrr To rrsrIrY


AN UNWILLING WITNESS BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY
CoMMITTEE-THE CHIEF TO TESTIFY
Before the Bacon Investigating Committee yesterday
Henry W. Pope Of Pope. sewan & Co., turned informer
against Chief Nevns and told the whole story of bribery
that had hitherto been concealed In few words Mr.
Pope admitted that Mr. Nevins called Pope, sewa
Co. In the early part Of May and told them bunty that
there were certain Aldermen whom his political infn-
ence could not reach, and that cash, hard cash was
tho means by which they could get their franchise Tor
the electric lights Pope, sewall Co. paid $i25O and
he supposed that the Municipal Company did the same
Thcse sums were deposited in the National City Bank OF
BROOKLYN to Neyinss credit and he drew the money out
On May %, 1884
The committee changed its field of action this city, 1t
Is said to enable the committee to institute any pro-
ceedings for perjury coming from the testimony taken
In this county instead of In Kings County The investga
ton took place in the Office OF NJ Shepard OF sckney
n Shepard No 81 Nassaust The little Office probably
never held such crowd before By 10 O'Clock every
seat was TAKEN and even the lawyers had 10 stand.
Colonel Bacon was the only member OF the committee
promptly hand Then at about IL o'clock the inves-
tigation began.
Henry W. Pope called to the stand lie hao re-
fused 10 answer certain questions before and wanted 10
follow the tactics again. But Colonel Bacon anu
LAWYER Shepard were ready for him. Mr.. Shepard
opened fire on him by asking him about the call that
Charles Cooper president of the Citizens Electric Light
Company had paid him, and the appeal he made MT
Pops said that he had had an interview with MI cooper
after Mclaughlin had declared that Pope, sewal Co.
had ruined Nevins Co He said that Mr.. Cooper tried
TO persuade him not to testify fully claiming that he
ought to overlook McIaughlins indisereon and that
1t would be mpractcable for Mclaughlin to return to
the stand and retract or apologize
r Mr.. Shepard worked up TO his point by asking MI
Pope to explain what kind of influence he referred to in
a recent examination when he said that Chief Nevns
had remarked that influence than political influence
was needed. The witness fdgeted q little, ana then
answered that when the Brooklyn franchise was sought
Chief Nevins their business associate adding:
n Neyins came to us and told that certain things
were required and in that answer you referred to
Q~what conversation took place between you and
Nevins in regard to procuring the franchise A-Nevms
was business associate, and he told us that certain
things were necessary to accomplish what he Desired
We had invested some $4,000 and were ted hand ana
foot 1t then that he came to us and told lis what
o~What did he say that you would have to do Al
'e Colonel Bacon-Do you still refuse to answer,
AS these questions were pressed on MN the witnesses
face turned red. He did not reply to Colonel BacOns
question and in moment or two the Colonel turned
Mr. Pope the committee is getting tired of this sort
of thing Perhaps the committee Is to blame for IN
pertinent questions But We have come to time when
this must stop WE have DECIDED 6 70 soR f ba
you guilty Of msdemeanor in refusing to answer
Mr. Pope~I have consulted my lawyer and understand
Mr. Cutler Deml-I decline to take part in the diree-
tion of the chairman of the committee as now const-
tuted have grave doubts as TO the committee as lts
examination In my Judgment it requires majority Of
the committee and while make no personal objection
questions which he declines TO answer IL would be wise
to postpone anything of compulsory character until the
committee has full representation.
Mr. Parsons reminded MI. Cutler that Mr Pope had
been Instructed at full committee meeting 10 answer
ali questions and Colonel Bacon said that he would
for the majority OF the committee IN requiring
vestigati0n postponed until Judge Greene could be In
attendance, but he withdrew his objections rather than
In short answers Mr. Shepard then proceeded to draw
out the history of the bribery as follows:
A.-That We should have 10 put up money with nm. m .
Q-what amount did he mention A% az tGo mat
Q-who were the other parties Interested Al
CHOW was the money raised Ave. as trustees,
levied assessments and paid the money into Nevins
hands. 1t was paid in check of S2l2o, in Others OF
Q-Here IS deposit check Of Thomas Scyns on the
one OF these payments 81, 1851 Ayes.
Q-Eere Is another deposit check for May 81. on the
to SeVins A on that att account All but $500 The
other amounts were for l25 each and these payments
for and three each made UP the S325O less $500
Eevinss share was one-ffth ...,,,.o =, oro
Al suppose so; know that the Citizens Company
FURNISHED that AMOUNT o-o ...,,,.oa ,r rom co,0.
pay come out Of the state Ayes and the rest came
from the syndicate equal amounts One of the other
think that the last was Nevinss own share.
} Odd Nevns pay his own sharei Al don't know
Q.-How did you get those checks from the members
Of the syndicate They were probably sent BY mail
] turned them TO Nevins.
O-Did he explain what going to do with themi
A-NO, did he keep any account ,
: Q-was any of the money used IN construction IN
any expense Of the company which appears upon the
books A.-No, sir; blind pool. .
The committee then decided TO stop the invesugauOn
but Just at that moment Mr. Cole appeared, ana Tor
moment IL looked the investigation would DO re-
sumed IL finally decided TO adjourn until 20
Cay at IL Be MIN whsn GREENE W be-
and take part In the examination :, II,
Chief Engineer Neyins said last evening that he would
appear before the committee today and make state
ment regard to the matter While he would not say
In advance what would be- he ntimated that he could
Satisfactorily explain all his traDsactons and show tnt
all the funds which into his hands were properly
zad